The Intimate Animal

This is a very important book on a very important topic by a highly respected scientist

Dr. John Gottman, The Gottman Institute

A brilliant exploration of why we love, connect, and sometimes stray. With a rare mix of science and storytelling, Justin Garcia shows that intimacy is not just about sex, it is about feeling seen, safe, and alive. A must read for anyone curious about the deeper forces behind love, sex, and connection.

Emily Morse, Doctor of Human Sexuality, Founder of Sex with Emily and Author of Smart Sex: How to Boost Your Sex IQ & Own Your Pleasure

This book does a remarkable job of explaining why we live and die for love and the great conflicts that exist in our biology. Evolutionary biologist Justin Garcia’s groundbreaking studies reveal the latest changes in human dating and mating as well as some of our most ancient needs and desires. There is an intimacy crisis happening around the world, and Garcia's work can help us to understand how we can address the issue and why we must.

Scott Barry Kaufman, author of Rise Above and Host of The Psychology Podcast

The Intimate Animal is a daring exploration of how our hunger for closeness shapes every stage of intimacy—and why learning to nurture that hunger may be the most important work we ever do.

Iris Krasnow, bestselling author of Surrendering to Marriage, The Secret Lives of Wives, and Sex After

This book marries fearless curiosity with rigorous science to reveal a disarming truth beneath our messy modern dating lives: we are built for intimacy - and we can learn to love with more courage, clarity, and care. His storytelling is compassionate, data-rich, and radically hopeful. This book is a revelation - honest, nuanced, and deeply compassionate. Garcia cuts through noise and shame to map how we bond, break, and begin again.

Lara Love Hardin, New York Times bestselling author of The Many Lives of Mama Love

As technology fundamentally shifts how we experience intimacy, Garcia brings us back to the animal inside to remind us that even when connection, love, and desire feel elusive, it’s exactly what we’re wired for.

Esther Perel, psychotherapist, NYT bestselling author of Mating in Captivity

I ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! So exciting to see a research-based book that gets to the real fundamentals in understanding what it means to be human. This book is a real page turner, so rare in non-fiction.

John Gottman, Author of FIGHT RIGHT